Okay, my dad used to always say, "Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades", but this is my "almost" post. Today was the Electric City Gobbler 5K and for most of this year, I had declared it as the 5K I would break the under-30 minute mark. I've had a hard time getting my runs in the past couple of weeks, but I still believed in myself. My brother Rob was going to meet Jeff and I and run it with me to help make sure I reached my goal (last year Rob ran it in 22 minutes). Jeff told me last night that with him battling a head/chest cold, he wanted us to just go ahead and he was going to run it easy. So, when the alarm went off this morning at 6 I knew today was the day. It is the day I would run another 5K and try to have a PR; the day that I would reach a goal set for myself months ago; it was the day of culmination of many miles training for the Spinx Half in October and Kiawah next Saturday; and, it was the day that I would test myself. Part of me wanted to just pull the blankets over my head and forget about it. But, when I get to law school in a few months am I going to do that? Hell no, so I couldn't now.
We got up and got ready. I donned my new running tights purchased at Target. They are pink and everyone knows - Pink Means Fast! We made the drive to Anderson, about 30 miles away and split a banana. Since it is a short race, no point to over-fuel. I went over in my mind my game plan and knew that I just needed to let Rob pace me. We sat in the car until it was time to line up and the race itself is a relatively small field. We lined up near the back and when the horn went off and we moved forward, I was happy to see a line actually marking the Start so I didn't have to guess where to hit my Garmin. I vowed to myself that I would not look at the Garmin again the rest of the race.
As we settled in the first mile, I knew it was fast. I could tell it was going to be a tough 30 minutes. This course is really great because there are only 2 small hills and most of the course goes through neighborhoods. It is not a very scenic course at all. At the 1 mile mark, I was sucking wind, but knew it was to be expected. For the second mile, I kept trying to stay focused and would think about law school, about Thanksgiving, and I even counted in my mind. Rob was great to constantly turn around and encourage me, telling me over and over that I had this, I was going to do it, I was strong. At mile 2, I started to have some breathing problems. I had so much mucus in my mouth, it had disintegrated my chewing gum into small particles that were just floating around in my mouth. My chest felt like a the pony I always wanted for Christmas was sitting on it. Shortly after the second Garmin beep, I told Rob that I had to slow down. I spit, trying to get everything out of my mouth. Not succesful. I continued running for a small bit and had to stop to walk. My heart rate was too high and I was struggling. I could no longer get my mind to focus on anything other than my breathing and the congestion that suddenly developed. Unfortunately, I had to take a few walk breaks the last mile, each one lasting only a few seconds. As we got onto Clemson Boulevard, I could see the entrance of the mall, where we would run through the parking lot and Finish. I knew I wasn't going to reach my goal and thought that I was probably looking at 31 or 32 minutes.
As we can through the parking lot, I refused to look at the finish clock. Until we turned on the straightaway and I could not help but to see it and the time had a .... what?... a 2 in front! It was close to turning, but I kicked it in. I gave it everything that I had and pushed as hard as I could that last .1 miles. My official finish time according to my Garmin was 30:21. Close!! Closer than I've ever been before. As I crossed the Finish Line, I thought my lungs would collapse. My chest hurt and felt so full of crud it isn't funny. We waited for Jeff to finish and my chest continued hurting. Not in a cardiac arrest way, but in a I am sick way. Jeff came across the finish line and epitomized why you don't run with a full-on head/chest cold.
After our run, we drove home, showered and went with Mom and Francis to the Walhalla Steakhouse Cafeteria for some grub, saw their weekend getaway place in the woods of Walhalla (nicknamed Rattlesnake Ridge), stopped at St. Arbucks on the way home (I do not recommend the Gingersnap Latte) and I got in a little nap. The Cowboys are stomping the Seahawks and all is good with the world.
So, on this Thanksgiving, I am thankful for God blessing me with strength and family and friends and the ability to run and experience the freedom I do when I'm on the road. And while my time wasn't under 30 minutes like I wanted, I was "close" and right now, close also counts in 5Ks.
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